Impressionism, Fashion & Modernity Exhibition: Perfection!

JT at the Art Institute of Chicago

September is a special month for me. I married my sweetheart fourteen years ago on September 11 and it is also my hubby’s birthday on September 24th!

For our anniversary, My hubby surprised me with a road trip to Chicago. I did not know if we were doing something special in town or traveling out of town. It was such a treat because we went to the Art Institute of Chicago to see the “Impressionism, Fashion & Modernity,” Exhibition. As a part of the press, Art Institute provided me with a press pass for the exhibition admission. The Exhibition is well done and closes Sunday, September 29, 2013. The Art Institute of Chicago is the final of three stops for this phenomenal exhibition.

Sponsors of the Exhibit

Major funding for Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity at the Art Institute of Chicago has been generously provided by Alexandra and John Nichols.

Chase and J.P. Morgan are the Corporate Sponsors of Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity at the Art Institute of Chicago.

The press release provided by the Art Institute stated, “this is a groundbreaking and critically acclaimed exhibition. Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity, which opened in Paris in October 2012, lands at the Art Institute this summer as the final stop on its world tour.Organized by the Art Institute of Chicago, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the Muséed’Orsay, Paris, the exhibition broke attendance records in Paris and has been lauded by international and national critics alike. Roberta Smith of the New York Times called the New York presentation a “thrilling, erudite show” with “visual fireworks, historical clarity, and pitch-perfect contextualizing.” Vogue proclaimed the show “breathtaking” for its portrayal of “art’s passionate love affair with fashion in the boulevards and salons of late 19th-century France.” And now audiences in Chicago will be able to spend the summer with the first exhibition to explore the role of fashion in the revolutionary Impressionist movement.”

I totally agree that the paintings are amazing and I am truly fortunate to be able to see these paintings, garments and related objects exhibited in the United States. It was so thought provoking to see the painting with a lady in a particular dress and then turn around and see either an interpretation or the exact same dress in the case. I am enjoying every minute of it!

This portrait below is one of my favorites and my hubby really liked it too.

Jean Béraud. A Ball, 1878. Musée d’Orsay, Paris, RF 1994 15.

In the portrait, look at all men in their tuxedo tails, with gloves and top hats. Look at the ladies in their corset-fitted dresses and the oh so feminine fans. What do you think they are celebrating? Everyone is so involved in their conversations. Wouldn’t it be such a pleasure to be a fly on the wall? The red curtains in the background are so striking that it adds even more depth to the portrait.

The portrait, “In The Conservatory,” below is of the artist’s wife. She passed away shortly after this portrait was painted. The artist (husband) preserved the dress and never painted again after his wife’s death.

Installation shot of Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity at the Art Institute of Chicago.

I had to share this image of her because she looks beautiful. Look at the detail in the dress. Do you see the dots, stripes, pleating and the layering of the hem? I also see her gold jewelry.

Albert Bartholomé. In the Conservatory, c. 1881. Musée d’Orsay, Paris, gift of the Société des Amis du Musée d’Orsay, 1990, RF 1990 26.

Below is the exact same dress that was painted in the portrait above, not a replica. Let me say that again, that this is the exact same dress. It brings the painting to life to see this dress.

Summer dress worn by Madame Bartholomé in the painting In the Conservatory, French, 1880. Musée d’Orsay, Paris, gift of the gallery Charles and André Bailly, 1991, ODO 1991 1.

The bustle dresses were fitted in the waist, flows along the hips and sat high up in the back and often accentuated with draping, bows or some sort of ornamentation. I could only imagine how uncomfortable these dresses were with fitted corsets underneath. The dresses are beautiful and are draped so well that I can understand why women wore the corset. Kind of like wearing 6 inch stiletto heels? Women do it to be fashionable, on trend, in style and to look taller and slimmer.

This Exhibition brings out so many discussions regarding fashion and society. The exhibit is open until Sunday, September 29th so if you are in Chicago please go see this captivating exhibit at The Art Institute of Chicago.